Mr Fothergill's Aquilegia Biedermeier Mix Seeds, Granny's Bonnets', for early summer. The trimming back of dead stems after flowering will encourage the plants to remain as a compact clump.

Sow indoors for surest results, 0.5cm deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse or on a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-42 days. Transplant individually when large enough to handle to small pots. (Always hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem.) Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions before planting out 30cm apart. Or sow outdoors in a seed bed, 0.5cm deep into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart before planting out to flowering position in autumn.

• A hardy perennial, flowers the year after sowing
• Unusual double, short spurred ‘Columbines’
• Nodding delicate flowers on hardy, robust plants

Sow time: Feb-Jun
Flowering/Harvesting time: May-Jul